The NBA’s Top Stats from the First Quarter
Contents
- The top scoring players in the NBA
- The most efficient players in the NBA
- The top rebounders in the NBA
- The best defenders in the NBA
- The most improved players in the NBA
- The most clutch players in the NBA
- The best rookies in the NBA
- The best International Players in the NBA
- The best players coming off the bench in the NBA
- The most surprising players in the NBA
The NBA season is now a quarter of the way done, and there have been some impressive statistical performances so far. Here are the top stats from the first quarter of the season.
The top scoring players in the NBA
In the first quarter of the NBA season a Number of players have emerged as the league’s top scorers Here are the top five:
1. James Harden Houston Rockets – 34.3 points per game
2. Kyrie Irving Boston Celtics – 28.5 points per game
3. Lebron James Los Angeles Lakers – 27.8 points per game
4. Kawhi Leonard Toronto Raptors – 27.3 points per game
5. Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers – 26.9 points per game
The most efficient players in the NBA
The most efficient player in the NBA thus far this season has been Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers James is averaging 27.4 points, 8.7 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting 57.2% from the field and 36.7% from three-point range He has also been very efficient defensively, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Other players who have been very efficient offensively include Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The top rebounders in the NBA
Several teams are starting to really pull away from the pack in the nba standings but there is still a lot of basketball to be played. One area where teams can really make a difference is on the glass, and these are the top rebounders in the NBA so far this season.
1. Andre Drummond Detroit Pistons 14.2 rebounds per game
2. Deandre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers 13.9 rebounds per game
3. Hassan Whiteside Miami Heat 13.7 rebounds per game
4. Dwight Howard Houston Rockets 13.5 rebounds per game
5. Pau Gasol Chicago Bulls 12.4 rebounds per game
The best defenders in the NBA
As the season approaches the halfway point, it’s time to take a look at who has been the best at defending the paint. The following is a list of the top 5 defenders in the NBA, based on their defensive rating.
1. Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz
2. Anthony Davis Los Angeles Lakers
3. Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers
4. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
5. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
The most improved players in the NBA
In the race for Most Improved Player a few players have separated themselves from the pack. Here are the most improved players in the NBA through the first quarter of the season.
Entering the season, few Trae Young to take such a big leap. The second-year player out of Oklahoma is averaging 29.6 points and 8.1 assists per game both up from last year’s marks of 19.1 points and 3.7 assists. He’s been especially hot as of late, averaging 32.4 points and 9.6 assists over his last five games.
Another second-year player, De’Aaron Fox, has also taken a big step forward this season. Fox is averaging 21.4 points and 6.9 assists per game up from 17.3 points and 4.0 assists last year. He’s been especially impressive lately, averaging 24.8 points and 8.0 assists over his last five games while shooting 50 percent from three-point range.
Last but not least is Pascal Siakam, who has quietly become one of the best players in the league this season. Siakam is averaging 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game both career-highs by a wide margin (he averaged 16.9 points and 4/6 rebounds last year). He’s also been extremely efficient, shooting 54 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range while also chipping in 1 .5 steals and 1 .2 blocks per game
The most clutch players in the NBA
Who are the most clutch players in the NBA? The answer, according to player win shares might surprise you. The most clutch player in the NBA so far this season is Cleveland Cavaliers’ center Tristan Thompson. Thompson has a player win share of 3.1, meaning he has contributed 3.1 wins to his team’s overall record.
While Thompson might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of clutch players, he has been extremely valuable to his team this season. The Cavaliers have a record of 21-4 when he is on the court, and just 5-7 when he is not.
There are a few other players who have been nearly as clutch as Thompson this season. Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Lebron James has a player win share of 2.9, and is second in the league in total points scored in the fourth quarter and overtime (200). Milwaukee Bucks’ forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is third in the league with a player win share of 2.8, and has also been extremely effective in late-game situations, averaging 4.9 points per game in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The best rookies in the NBA
This season, there have been some exceptional rookies in the NBA. Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies and Kendrick Nunn of the Miami Heat have all been standouts. These three players have been dominating the league and providing fans with highlight reel dunks and incredible passes.
But who are the best rookies in the NBA so far this season? Zion Williamson is averaging 22.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He is shooting 58.9% from the field and an astounding 73.7% from the Free Throw Line Ja Morant is averaging 17.6 points and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 49.1% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range. Kendrick Nunn is averaging 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 38% from three-point range.
All three of these rookies have been impressive, but Zion Williamson has been on another level. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism is unlike anything we’ve seen before in the NBA. He has already had multiple games where he has scored 30 or more points, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. If he continues to play at this high level, he will undoubtedly be one of the best players in the league for years to come.
The best International Players in the NBA
The first quarter of the NBA season is in the books, and it’s been an eventful one. From Lebron James’ move to the Los Angeles Lakers to Kawhi Leonard’s return from injury, there has been no shortage of storylines.
One thing that has been consistent throughout the first quarter is the high level of play from international players. In fact, there are currently 12 foreign-born players averaging at least 15 points per game Here are the top five:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (Greek) – 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists
Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers (Cameroon) – 27.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz (France) – 15.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.3 blocks
Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets (Serbia) – 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists
Kristaps Porzingis Dallas Mavericks (Latvia) – 24.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks
The best players coming off the bench in the NBA
In the NBA, some of the best players come off the bench. These are the guys who come in and provide a spark for their team, whether it’s with their scoring, their defense, or both. Here are the top 10 players in the NBA who have come off the bench so far this season.
The most surprising players in the NBA
The first quarter of the NBA season is in the books, and there have been plenty of surprises. The Golden State Warriors last year’s Finals runner-ups, have the Worst Record in the league. The Los Angeles Lakers led by Lebron James are near the bottom of the standings as well. Some individual players have also outperformed expectations. Here are the most surprising players in the NBA so far this season:
1. Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans
The number one overall pick in this year’s draft has lived up to the hype and then some. Williamson is averaging 22.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 58.9% from the field. He has been especially impressive lately, averaging 28.2 points and 7.2 rebounds over his last five games.
2. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Adebayo is one of the main reasons why the Heat have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference so far this season. He is averaging 15.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 58.6% from the field. Adebayo has also been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week twice this season.
3.. Devonte’ Graham, Charlotte Hornets
Graham has taken a big step forward in his second NBA season and has been one of the best point guards in the league so far this year. He is averaging 18.7 points and 7 assists per game while shooting 40% from three-point range. Graham is currently sixth in the league in assists per game and ninth in three-pointers made per game